Test: Key Elements of a Democratic Government - UPSC MCQ

gandhiji said ‘ Adult suffrage is necessary for more reasons than one, and one of the decisive reasons to me is that it enables me to satisfy all the reasonable aspirations, not only of the Musalmans, but also of the so-called untouchables, of Christians, of labourers and all kinds of classes.’

The British rule had given voting rights only to a few. In India, before independence, only a small minority was allowed to vote. Gandhiji firmly opposed this system and advocated for the universal adult franchise.

B is the correct option.The legal right of women to vote was established in the United States over the course of more than half a century, first in various states and localities, sometimes on a limited basis, and then nationally in 1920. The demand for women's suffrage began to gather strength in the 1840s.

C is the correct option.Government is a system by which a “country” is governed.

The word Autocracy is derived from two Greek words: Autos meaning "Self", and Kratos meaning "Power". Thus we have "Autocracy", or autos-kratos meaning "Power to the Self" or Dictatorship. In contrast, Demos means "The People" in Greek. So we have "Democracy", or demos-kratos meaning "Power to the People".

Adult Franchise means giving the right to individuals govern themselves. This right is bestowed irrespective of their color, cast, creed, religion, economic status etc., so, this participation is the basic piller of democracy (both direct and indirect).

Article 326 of the indian constitution povides right to caste vote to every citizen of india, regardless of sex, religion, race, caste etc. and to thereby select the representative of their choice. Its a democratic form of government i.e. from the people, by the people and for the people.

Definition of a Government:
A government is the organization or agency through which a political unit exercises its authority and controls the actions of its citizens. It is responsible for making and enforcing laws, maintaining social order, providing public services, and protecting the rights and interests of its citizens.
Explanation:
The question asks for the type of unit that exercises its authority through a government. Here is a detailed explanation of why the correct answer is C: Political.
Political:
- A political unit refers to a group of people who are organized under a specific system of government.
- The government is the instrument through which the political unit exercises its authority.
- The government has the power to make and enforce laws, collect taxes, and regulate the actions of its citizens.
- It is responsible for maintaining social order, resolving conflicts, and protecting the rights and interests of its citizens.
- Governments can take various forms such as democracies, monarchies, dictatorships, or oligarchies, depending on the political system in place.
Other Choices:
While other options like social, economical, and technological are important aspects of a society, they do not fully capture the concept of a government as the organization through which a political unit exercises its authority.
- Social: Refers to the interactions and relationships between individuals and groups in a society. While social factors may influence the functioning of a government, they are not the defining characteristic of a government.
- Economical: Relates to the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. While governments play a role in regulating the economy, they are not solely focused on economic matters.
- Technological: Refers to the application of scientific knowledge and tools. While governments may adopt and utilize technology, it is not the primary function or purpose of a government.
Therefore, the correct answer is C: Political, as it accurately describes the nature and purpose of a government as an organization through which a political unit exercises its authority and controls the actions of its citizens.

Explanation:
Monarchy:
- A monarchy is a form of government where a single individual, usually a king or queen, holds absolute power and authority.
- In a monarchy, the ruler inherits the position and the power is passed down through generations.
Democracy:
- Democracy is a form of government where power is vested in the people and the rulers are elected by the citizens.
- In a democracy, the people have the right to participate in the decision-making process and elect their representatives.
Suffrage:
- Suffrage refers to the right to vote in political elections.
- It is a fundamental aspect of democracy and grants citizens the ability to choose their leaders and have a say in the governance of their country.
Matching:
- Monarchy: II. Ruled by the king
- Democracy: I. Chosen by the people
- Suffrage: III. Right to vote
Therefore, the correct match is C. a(II), b(I), c(III).

A is the correct option.Mettur Dam, which forms Stanley Reservoir, is constructed across the “Kaveri River” in Tamil Nadu AND Krishna Raja Sagara, also popularly known as KRS, is the name of both a lake and the dam that creates it. It is located close to the settlement of Krishnarajasagara. The dam is across “Kaveri River”, in Mandya in Karnataka state, India.